ivory tower
noun
1
: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems
2
: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude
especially
: a place of learning
Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence
The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some precincts of the ivory tower are suspicious of academics who become public figures.
—
Jason Dove Mark,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
Outside his ivory tower, the heterosis disease is raging on, turning men whose appetites normally lay only in prostate orgasms, poppers, all-night benders, and chemsex into the kind of people who suddenly have an affection for a church wedding.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
This mix of risk, vulnerability and resiliency is framed in multiple ways within the academic literature and ivory tower.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2026
Though fluent in academic lingo, his verse was approachable, written with students and the public in mind and indicative of someone who always made sure to not stay stuck in the proverbial ivory tower.
—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
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Jason Dove Mark,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
Outside his ivory tower, the heterosis disease is raging on, turning men whose appetites normally lay only in prostate orgasms, poppers, all-night benders, and chemsex into the kind of people who suddenly have an affection for a church wedding.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
This mix of risk, vulnerability and resiliency is framed in multiple ways within the academic literature and ivory tower.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2026
Though fluent in academic lingo, his verse was approachable, written with students and the public in mind and indicative of someone who always made sure to not stay stuck in the proverbial ivory tower.
—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
Cite this Entry
“Ivory tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ivory%20tower. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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